Agriculture: Genetically Modified Crops

The Countess of Mar: To ask Her Majesty's Government what comparisons have been made between the availability of micronutrients, in particular iron, manganese and zinc, in animal feed from soya beans that have and have not been genetically modified; and whether the availability diminishes with each RoundupReady crop grown in the same soil.

Earl Howe: The nutritional content of genetically modified (GM) products is examined as part of the pre-market assessment of GM feed, according to guidelines issued by the European Food Safety Authority and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Iron, manganese and zinc are not considered by OECD to be key nutritional components of soya for the purposes of animal nutrition and therefore no comparison has been made of their availability from non-GM and GM soya, including Roundup Ready soya.

Agriculture: Genetically Modified Crops

The Countess of Mar: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the effect on newly planted crops on which phosphorus fertilisers are applied of the soil in which they are grown containing immobilised glyphosate used on previous crops.

Lord Henley: The Government are not aware of any evidence that the long-term use of glyphosate in the UK, under UK conditions and where products containing glyphosate are used in accordance with the conditions of authorisation, has an effect on the uptake of phosphorus by crops planted in soils where glyphosate has been previously used.
	Relevant new scientific literature on the potential effects of glyphosate will be considered as part of the second review under Council Directive 91/414/EEC of active substances used in the European Union. We expect a Commission proposal on this review later in the year.

Agriculture: Genetically Modified Crops

The Countess of Mar: To ask Her Majesty's Government what research has been conducted into the toxicity of glyphosate on earthworms and soil micro-organisms and their ability to increase the availability of nutrients to plants.

Lord Henley: Applicants seeking approval of plant protection products containing glyphosate are required to submit relevant information on the behaviour of glyphosate in the environment, including the risk to earthworms and soil micro-organisms. The assessment of glyphosate, which was carried out as part of the first review under Council Directive 91/414/EEC of active substances used in the European Union, concluded that it was of low acute toxicity to earthworms and posed a low risk. Studies on soil micro-organisms noted no effects, even when glyphosate was applied at rates substantially higher than those authorised for field use, while studies on leaf litter concluded that glyphosate had no or only slight effects on litter decomposition at concentrations that occur in the environment after treatment. The soil's ability to provide nutrients should not be affected by glyphosate, since its structure and function are not affected by the substance.
	Relevant new scientific literature on the potential effects of glyphosate will be considered as part of the second review under Council Directive 91/414/EEC of active substances used in the European Union. We expect a Commission proposal on this review later in the year.

Asylum Seekers: Legal Aid

The Earl of Sandwich: To ask Her Majesty's Government what proposals they have regarding the provision of legal aid and representation for asylum seekers, and their effect on decisions on asylum applications.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government how they will respond to any financial difficulties experienced by smaller law firms from the Legal Services Commission's decision to refund legal aid after a decision has been reached.

Lord McNally: I understand that the noble Lord's two Questions relate to the arrangements for legal aid that may flow from the early legal advice pilot scheme in Solihull.
	There are currently no proposals to change the provision of legal aid and representation for asylum seekers. Legal aid is available for eligible individuals to obtain initial advice and representation at appeal in cases with merit. We are currently considering with the United Kingdom Border Agency the implications of the pilot and whether to extend it further.

Banking: Bank of Scotland (Ireland)

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government what conclusions the Financial Services Authority has reached from the investigation of the United Kingdom activities of the Bank of Scotland, Ireland.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government what investigations they have carried out into the appointment of a chairman of the Bank of Scotland, Ireland, which has branches in the United Kingdom.

Lord Sassoon: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Financial Services Authority (FSA), which is independent from Government. The noble Lord's inquiry has been passed to the FSA, which will write directly to him on this subject.

Banking: Iceland

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government when Ministers last discussed with the Government of Iceland the amounts to be recovered from Iceland in respect of the failure of Icelandic banks operating in the United Kingdom.

Lord Sassoon: Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.

Banking: Special Liquidity Scheme

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much is outstanding to United Kingdom banks under the Bank of England's special liquidity scheme.

Lord Sassoon: The drawdown period for the special liquidity scheme (SLS) closed on 30 January 2009. When the drawdown window closed on 30 January the nominal value of Treasury bills lent by the Bank under the SLS was £185 billion.
	In its annual report, which was published on 2 June 2010, the Bank of England reported that as at 28 February 2010 the outstanding nominal value of Treasury Bills lent under the SLS was £165 billion.
	For further details please follow this link at http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/markets/marketnotice 090203c.pdf.

Civil List

Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government which department is negotiating the new Civil List.

Lord Sassoon: Her Majesty's Treasury is the department responsible for negotiating the new Civil List, as has been the case under previous Administrations.

Constitutional Reform and GovernanceAct 2010

Lord Norton of Louth: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to give effect to Section 3(6) of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010.

Lord Taylor of Holbeach: Codes of conduct, including the Civil Service Code and associated guidance, are being revised to give effect to the provisions of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010, including Section 3(6).

Crime: Sexual Offences

Lord Campbell-Savours: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether persons falsely accused of sexual offences would enjoy anonymity prior to court proceedings under their proposals for anonymity for persons accused of sexual offences; and what assessment they have made of how their proposals would have affected the case of Teresa McKenzie of Meifod, Powys.

Lord McNally: The Government have made clear that they will carefully consider all the options before bringing proposals to Parliament on the question of extending anonymity in rape cases to defendants. This includes consideration of the period which would be covered by the anonymity, and the possible extension of coverage beyond rape to other offences. It would be inappropriate to comment on the individual case to which the noble Lord refers, but our consideration will include the possibility of special provision for teachers and others in positions of trust. Our coalition agreement includes a further commitment to give anonymity to teachers accused by pupils and take other measures to protect against false accusations.

Cyclists: Deaths

Lord Bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Attlee on 8 June (WA 33), how many lorry drivers involved in incidents in which a cyclist was killed were prosecuted in the latest year for which figures are available; and with what results.

Lord McNally: Unless the offence is separately specified in law, the Ministry of Justice does not centrally hold information that identifies the circumstances of an offence. Therefore, from prosecutions for motoring offences involving a death of a person, it is not possible to separately identify those cases where the defendant was a lorry driver or where the victim was a cyclist.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Lord Patten: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made or intend to make to the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo about the death sentence given to Joshua French, who has dual British and Norwegian nationality.

Lord Howell of Guildford: Where a British national faces the death penalty, we will seek to use all appropriate influence to avoid the death sentence being carried out.
	Our ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has raised the UK's concerns with the Government of the DRC and the Governors' office in Kisangani.
	We are discussing with Mr French's legal team and the Norwegian Government how to co-ordinate representations so that they are as effective as possible.
	We understand that the DRC has imposed a moratorium on the death penalty and we will encourage it to maintain this policy.

Deposit Guarantee Schemes

Lord Moonie: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they plan to direct the Financial Services Authority to implement the European Union-wide deposit protection limit of €100,000 under the Deposit Guarantee Schemes Directive (94/19/EC, as amended by Directive 2009/14/EC).

Lord Sassoon: The amended Deposit Guarantee Schemes Directive (Directive 2009/14/EC, amending Directive 94/19/EC) increases the coverage limit for deposit guarantee schemes to €100,000 from 31 December 2010. The coverage limit for deposits under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme will therefore be increased from this date. The Financial Services Authority plans to issue a consultation in October 2010 on increasing the coverage limit to the equivalent of €100,000.

Economy

Lord Corbett of Castle Vale: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the budget for online consultations and regional public meetings to seek suggestions on ways to reduce the fiscal deficit.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many (a) civil servants, and (b) other personnel, will be employed to arrange and run the regional public meetings to seek suggestions on ways to reduce the fiscal deficit; and what are the estimated salary costs.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to publish the results of consultations at regional public meetings and with others to seek suggestions on how to reduce the fiscal deficit.

Lord Sassoon: The Government are committed to holding a fully consultative process ahead of the spending review, including the private sector, the general public, voluntary/charitable organisations and experts, in order to obtain the best ideas from those most involved in and affected by public services. Over the next few weeks, the Government will begin a process to engage and involve the whole country in the difficult decisions that will have to be taken. This process will evolve throughout the run-up to the spending review, and further details will be announced shortly.

Economy: Stabilisation

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they have taken and plan to take to promote the development in the United Kingdom of a sustainable market for commercial and residential mortgage securitisation.

Lord Sassoon: The Treasury, Bank of England and the FSA are in discussion with issuers and investors, to explore ways of encouraging more sustainable, transparent and standardised UK mortgage-backed securities markets.

Elections

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have issued guidance to electoral registration officers on whether to seek evidence about a person's immigration status if they have doubts about it.

Lord McNally: The Electoral Commission has responsibility for issuing guidance to Electoral Registration Officers (EROs). The Government are responsible for the legislative framework for electoral registration.
	Under the Representation of People Act 1983, British and Irish citizens and citizens of other European Union countries are entitled to register to vote in the UK. Commonwealth citizens can also register to vote, if they qualify to do so. A qualifying Commonwealth citizen is an individual who has leave to enter or remain in the UK or does not require such leave.
	The Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001 provide that a person's application for registration must, among other things, state their nationality and include a declaration that the details given in the application are true. Under powers in Regulation 24, the ERO can require the applicant or elector to provide specified documentary evidence confirming their nationality which would determine whether they are eligible to register. In addition, under Regulation 23, EROs also have the power to require any other person to provide information about any aspect of a person's eligibility to be an elector. Provision of false information to a registration officer for any purpose connected with the registration of electors is an offence.
	The Electoral Commission's guidance on electoral registration states that,
	where EROs have doubts about a person's immigration status:
	"they have the power to require any person to provide information relating to the eligibility of that applicant, namely regarding their age, nationality, residence and whether or not they are disqualified.
	Additionally, if the Electoral Registration Officer has doubts about the age or nationality of any applicant, they may also require that person to provide evidence demonstrating that they meet either or both of these requirements.
	The items which should be accepted by the Electoral Registration Officer as evidence of a person's age or nationality include:
	a birth certificate or a statutory declaration stating the applicant's date of birth;
	a certificate of naturalisation;
	a document showing they have become a Commonwealth citizen; and
	a statutory declaration that they are a qualifying Commonwealth citizen, a citizen of the Republic of Ireland or a European Union citizen".

Elections

Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their timetable for introducing individual registration of electors.

Lord McNally: The Government are committed to speeding up the implementation of Individual Electoral Registration. The Government are currently considering the options for this and we will set out our plans in due course.

Elections: Postal Voting

Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are proposing to change the systems for postal and proxy voting.

Lord McNally: Postal and proxy voting, along with all other areas of electoral law are kept under review. As part of this process, we will carefully consider the findings and any recommendations contained in the reports of the Electoral Commission into the conduct of the recent general election.

Electoral System

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, following the Prime Minister on 9 June (Official Report, Commons, col. 325) calling the Electoral Commission a "vast bureaucracy", they will transfer the supervision of the electoral process to the Home Office and local electoral registration offices.

Lord McNally: The Government have set out a major programme of political reform and will be considering the implications for the delivery of elections.

Embryology

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what has been the total cost per annum of aborting babies who were conceived following in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment; how long after embryo transfer, on average, such abortions take place; how many such abortions were carried out under Section 1(1)(c) of the Abortion Act 1967; and what counselling patients received prior to commencing IVF treatment and prior to the abortions in question.

Earl Howe: Information about the cost per annum of abortions following in vitro fertilisation (IVF), or how long after embryo transfer terminations take place, or the number of abortions carried out after having IVF under Section (1)(1)(c) is not collected centrally.
	The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority advises that a woman undergoing IVF treatment must be given a suitable opportunity to receive counselling about the implications of her treatment. The counselling service should comply with current professional guidance on good practice in infertility counselling and be provided only by qualified counsellors. This applies to all patients undergoing IVF treatment. Prior to the abortion procedure, women are fully informed of choices available to them, including alternatives to an abortion. This includes written information that can be take home before the procedure.

EU: Budget

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their stance on the proposal that they submit draft budget proposals to European Union finance Ministers and the European Commission for scrutiny before submitting the budget to Parliament.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government what will be the sanction for not submitting draft budget proposals to European Union finance Ministers and the European Commission for scrutiny before submitting the budget to Parliament.

Lord Sassoon: The Government have made their position on this issue very clear at meetings of the EU Economic Taskforce. The Chancellor and the Financial Secretary to the Treasury have said at those meetings that the UK will not submit its budget to the EU before it has been approved by this House. To date, there have been no proposals for sanctions under this process.

EU: Credit Rating Agencies

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their stance on the proposal by the European Commission to establish a single European Union regulator for credit rating agencies.

Lord Sassoon: The Government are supportive of proposals to introduce an EU wide regulatory regime for credit rating agencies. The European Council in June 2009 agreed that the supervision of credit rating agencies should be undertaken by the European Supervisory Authorities. On 2 June 2010, the European Commission published a draft amending regulation to implement this decision.

EU: Treaties

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Howell of Guildford on 8 June (WA 35), what assessment they have made of the impact of Turkey's proposed accession to the European Union on the United Kingdom's influence in the European Union; and what influence the reaction of the British public will have on the Government's policy in that regard.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Government assesses that Turkey's accession to the EU would not directly affect the UK's influence as accession only transfers power from the acceding country to the EU. However, the Government believe that Turkish accession would be to the wider benefit of the UK and EU, contributing to our security, stability and prosperity. The UK has close relations with Turkey and a wide-ranging bilateral dialogue, including on international issues, trade, security, energy, and several other areas.
	Government policy is held to account through Parliament. The British public always have (and continue to) express their opinion through the ballot box.

Finance: Government Funding

Lord Ramsbotham: To ask Her Majesty's Government how they will consult organisations affected by changes to the provision of government funding in 2010-11; and what support will be made available to those organisations that lose contracts that had been previously agreed.

Lord Sassoon: Government consults regularly with its supply base about changes to requirements.
	With regard to existing contracts which are terminated early, government will act in a manner consistent with those contracts.

Government Departments: Redeployment

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Taylor of Holbeach on 7 June (WA 19), why the Cabinet Office does not centrally maintain details of the numbers of surplus staff held within individual departmental redeployment pools; and whether they will reconsider that decision to enable greater redeployment of such personnel and to reduce redundancies.

Lord Taylor of Holbeach: A jointly agreed protocol for dealing with surplus staff situations ensures that maximum redeployment already takes place as part of the surplus management and redundancy mitigation processes. The current protocol is under review.

Housing

Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they will take to implement the pledge in The Coalition: our programme for government that "we will explore a range of measures to bring empty homes into use."

Baroness Hanham: The Government are looking closely at the cause and nature of empty homes and the full range of potential measures to bring empty homes back into use, as part of a well functioning housing market.

Housing

Baroness Whitaker: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have finalised the draft protocol between the Homes and Communities Agency and the Local Government Association on housing and regeneration announced on 3 July 2008.

Baroness Hanham: The protocol was finalised in June 2009. It was published in July of that year and can be found in the Homes and Communities Agency's Corporate Plan of 2009, and on their its at the following address: http://www.homesandcommunities.co.uk/public/ documents/Central_Local_Agreement_Housing_and_Regeneration.pdf.

Housing

Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the estimated cost of the administration of the Housing Market Renewal programme in (a) Communities and Local Government, and (b) the Homes and Communities Agency; and how many staff are employed on housing market renewal work in each organisation.

Baroness Hanham: My department's spend on the administration of the Housing Market Renewal Programme forms part of the department's running costs which are set out in the departmental annual report 2009. CLG (policy) employ two FTE staff on HMR work and a further two FTE staff are employed by HCA (policy). In addition, there is input from HCA regional offices and across the government office network.

Kyrgyzstan

Viscount Waverley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of ethnic Uzbeks killed in the current fighting in Osh and Jalalabad in southern Kyrgyzstan; what proportion of the total number killed that represents; whether there is evidence that ethnic Uzbeks have been targeted; and, if so, what assessment they have made of the cause of that.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We have heard reports that over 2,000 people may have died during the recent unrest in Kyrgyzstan. There have been casualties among both ethnic-Uzbek and ethnic-Kyrgyz populations. The UN has estimated that that as many as 260,000 people have been displaced by the unrest, over 100,000 of whom have sought refuge in Uzbekistan. The causes of the fighting are not yet clear.

Kyrgyzstan

Viscount Waverley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their reaction to the reported mass killings of Uzbeks and lootings of their property in Osh and Jalalabad in southern Kyrgyzstan.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We are deeply concerned by the recent upsurge in violence in Kyrgyzstan. We continue to monitor developments closely. As EU foreign Ministers agreed on 14 June it is important that the violence ceases immediately, that public order is restored by lawful means, and that there should be an inter-community dialogue as a matter of urgency. This message was reinforced by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Chairman in Office's Special Representative, the UN Special Representative for Central Asia and EU Special Representative Pierre Morel on 17 June. It is important that urgent attention is now given to the distribution of humanitarian aid to all those in need.

Kyrgyzstan

Viscount Waverley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of ethnic Uzbek refugees who have crossed the border into Uzbekistan as a result of the current unrest in southern Kyrgyzstan; and what discussions they have had with the Government of Uzbekistan about the action that country is taking to create appropriate conditions for the refugees.

Lord Howell of Guildford: According to Uzbek officials, there are over 100,000 refugees already in Uzbekistan. The Uzbek Government have responded quickly to this humanitarian crisis to provide food, shelter and medical assistance. At the request of the Uzbek Government, the UN in Uzbekistan is exploring options for a co-ordinated international response to the current situation and is already deploying staff and aid supplies. We are in contact with the UN and with the Uzbek Government through our embassy in Tashkent. Basic short-term needs are being met, but it seems likely that significant international assistance will be needed in the longer term.

Kyrgyzstan

Viscount Waverley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the contribution of external forces or influences to the current unrest in southern Kyrgyzstan.

Lord Howell of Guildford: Both the Kyrgyz Provisional Government and the Uzbek Government have stated their suspicions over the influence of outside forces in provoking the current unrest. Roza Otunbaeva, Head of the Provisional Government in Kyrgyzstan, has publicly accused ousted President Bakiev of being behind the tensions. We are also receiving unofficial reports of violence being instigated by groups coming from outside Osh and Jalalabad. However, such assessments are currently impossible to verify and we do not have evidence of external forces influencing the events in the region.

Kyrgyzstan

Viscount Waverley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assistance they will offer to help cease or avoid the escalation of the current unrest in southern Kyrgyzstan.

Lord Howell of Guildford: On 15 June the European Commission earmarked up to €5 million for emergency aid to assist vulnerable victims of the unrest. This is on top of the €6 million allocated from its Instrument for Stability in support to the crisis in April. The UK contributes to approximately 15 per cent of EU expenditure. In addition, the UK routinely offers assistance to Kyrgyzstan for projects to strengthen democracy, criminal justice, civil society development, civic education and the rule of law. The UK has spent almost £1 million on such projects since 2003. We are also contributing through the UN and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

Kyrgyzstan

Viscount Waverley: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are considering new humanitarian projects to assist those affected by the current unrest in southern Kyrgyzstan.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Department for International Development is monitoring the situation closely and in close touch with the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross. The UK provides core funding to these and many other international humanitarian agencies.

Kyrgyzstan

Viscount Waverley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assistance the interim Government of Kyrgyzstan has requested as a result of the current unrest in southern Kyrgyzstan.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic wrote to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 14 June covering an appeal for humanitarian and financial aid. The Department for International Development is in close touch with the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross, with regards to the ongoing events in Kyrgyzstan. The UK provides core funding to these and many other international humanitarian agencies.

Kyrgyzstan

Viscount Waverley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they wish to see from the Kazakhstan 2010 chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe in order to support requests for a concluding summit.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Kazakhstan chairmanship should look to organise a summit which respects the breadth of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe's mandate and cover all three security dimensions (political/military, human and economic/environmental). Any summit should have real substance on issues including conventional arms control, protracted conflicts, transnational threats, improved conflict prevention and resolution mechanisms, energy security and democracy and human rights.

Mutual Organisations

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to promote and support mutual organisations in the financial services sector.

Lord Sassoon: As stated in our coalition document, the Government plan to bring forward detailed proposals to foster diversity, promote mutuals and create a more competitive banking industry.

Nagorno Karabakh

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their response to the statement on 21 May by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Baroness Ashton of Upholland, that the recent elections in the Azerbaijani territory of Nagorno Karabakh were illegal.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The UK fully supports the statement made by Baroness Ashton on 21 May in relation to the recent Nagorno Karabakh "elections". The UK does not recognise Nagorno Karabakh as a state and consequently does not recognise the constitutional and legal framework within which these "elections" were held. Baroness Ashton's statement was made on behalf of the EU, on the basis of recommendations from EU ambassadors in Baku and member state representatives in Brussels, including the UK. Similar statements have been made by the EU in relation to previous "elections" in Nagorno Karabakh. We strongly support the conflict settlement efforts of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Minsk Group to find a solution for Nagorno Karabakh on the basis of international norms and principles.

Nagorno Karabakh

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking in support of the statement by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Baroness Ashton of Upholland, that the EU could play a greater role in supporting efforts by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Minsk Group to achieve a settlement of the conflict in Nagorno Karabakh based on the norms of international law and the Helsinki Protocols.

Lord Howell of Guildford: In her statement of 21 May on the Nagorno Karabakh "elections", Baroness Ashton recalled the EU's readiness to offer further support to the work of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Minsk Group and efforts to find a negotiated solution to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. EU efforts in support of the Minsk Group are rightly guided by the advice and wishes of the co-chairs and the parties to the conflict. Present efforts include the work of the EU's Special Representative for the South Caucasus, Peter Semneby. The EU has also recently launched a new €2 million programme to support people to people peace-building projects in the region. The programme builds upon previous work funded by the UK Conflict Pool-which until the launch of this new EU programme was the only international funding for this sort of work on Nagorno Karabakh. UK bilateral funding, through the Conflict Pool, continues, as do our own bilateral efforts to encourage Armenia and Azerbaijan to work with the Minsk Group to resolve the conflict.

Nauru

Lord Ashcroft: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether Nauru has paid its outstanding subscriptions to the Commonwealth Secretariat; and, if not, what are the arrears.

Lord Howell of Guildford: Nauru has arrears of £273,000 owed to the Commonwealth Secretariat dating back to 1999.

NHS: Medical Records

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will suspend the entry of patients' records to the Summary Care Records system and any other NHS agencies' databases pending any action to dismantle that system.

Earl Howe: We believe there is a need for both patients and clinicians to be able to access patient records in an electronic form. This is part of our thinking about making information transparent and available, while involving patients in decisions about their healthcare.
	Effective use of the summary care record (SCR) depends on patients and doctors feeling an ownership of the records rather than them being perceived as something imposed by Government. We believe the current processes that are in place need to be reviewed to ensure that both the information that patients receive, and the process by which they opt-out, are as clear and simple as possible. In addition, should patients choose to opt-out they must be able to do so as early in the process as is feasible. Foremost in our minds is the need to ensure the security of the data contained in the record.
	We intend to review the content of the record and consider whether we can improve the process whereby patients can opt-out. We will also agree with the key stakeholders what should be added to the record and over what timescale. This work will form part of a wider project to review how information and technology can be leveraged within the health service. Strategic health authorities have been informed that no further information letters should be sent out to patients about the SCR until after the review has concluded.

NHS: Prescription and Dental Charges

Baroness Thomas of Winchester: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will implement the proposals in Professor Gilmore's review of prescription charges for people with long-term conditions.

Earl Howe: Decisions on any future changes to the system of prescription charges and exemptions in England would need to be taken in the context of the next spending review, which is due to report in the autumn. In the mean time, there are no plans to make any changes to the current list of conditions which are exempt from prescription charges.

Office for Budget Responsibility

Lord Barnett: To ask Her Majesty's Government what will be the number of staff of the Office for Budget Responsibility; and what will be the annual cost of employing them.

Lord Sassoon: The interim Office for Budget Responsibility comprises a three-person independent Budget Responsibility Committee (BRC), supported by a Civil Service secretariat of eight economists and public finance experts. In addition, the interim OBR is drawing on additional resources from within the Treasury and other government departments.
	Two of the three BRC members have previously worked at HM Treasury. The secretariat are HM Treasury employees, redeployed from within the department.
	Sir Alan Budd, as chair of the Budget Responsibility Committee, will be advising the Chancellor on the arrangements for the permanent OBR. The annual cost and number of staff of the OBR will depend on decisions on the basis of this advice.

Office for Budget Responsibility

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many (a) economists, and (b) accountants, are employed by or available to the Office for Budget Responsibility; and how many of them previously worked at HM Treasury or are seconded from HM Treasury.

Lord Sassoon: The interim Office for Budget Responsibility comprises a three-person independent Budget Responsibility Committee (BRC), supported by a Civil Service secretariat of eight economists and public finance experts. In addition, the interim OBR is drawing on additional resources from within the Treasury and other government departments.
	Two of the three BRC members have previously worked at HM Treasury. The secretariat are HM Treasury employees, redeployed from within the department.
	Sir Alan Budd, as chair of the Budget Responsibility Committee, will be advising the Chancellor on the arrangements for the permanent OBR. The annual cost and number of staff of the OBR will depend on decisions on the basis of this advice.

Office for Budget Responsibility

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether appointments to the Office for Budget Responsibility have been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments' Code of Practice; and where the Office for Budget Responsibility positions were advertised.

Lord Sassoon: The appointments to the interim Budget Responsibility Committee (BRC) were undertaken on an expedited basis to ensure the interim Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) could perform its functions for the emergency Budget. These appointments were made on an interim basis and are not appointments to a permanent BRC.
	Sir Alan Budd, as chair of the interim BRC, will be advising the Chancellor on the arrangements for the permanent OBR, including on the appointments process.

Office for Budget Responsibility

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Office for Budget Responsibility will produce its own economic forecasts or audit the forecasts made by HM Treasury.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government in what way the economic forecasting of the Office for Budget Responsibility will differ in approach and output from that of HM Treasury.

Lord Sassoon: The interim Office for Budget Responsibility published its own economic forecast and a description of its forecast approach on 14 June. Copies of the document are available in the Vote Office and have been deposited in the Libraries of the House.

Office for Budget Responsibility

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether members of the Office for Budget Responsibility have terminated all involvement with organisations with which they were associated or by whom they were paid; and whether arrangements exist under which members of the office can renew previous employment or association on completing their work with the office.

Lord Sassoon: The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) was established on an interim basis on 17 May 2010. It is led by a three-person Budget Responsibility Committee (BRC).
	Where members of the interim BRC had existing commitments, they are on sabbatical from or have suspended these appointments for the duration of their membership of the OBR.
	Sir Alan Budd, as chair of the interim BRC, will be advising the Chancellor on the arrangements for the permanent OBR.

Office for Budget Responsibility

Lord Corbett of Castle Vale: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many staff are employed from other departments by the Office for Budget Responsibility; and what are the salaries and other emoluments of its senior staff.

Lord Sassoon: The interim Office for Budget Responsibility comprises a three-person independent Budget Responsibility Committee (BRC), supported by a Civil Service secretariat of eight economists and public finance experts. In addition, the interim OBR is drawing on additional resources from within the Treasury and other government departments.
	Two of the three BRC members have previously worked at HM Treasury. The secretariat are HM Treasury employees, redeployed from within the department.
	Sir Alan Budd, as chair of the Budget Responsibility Committee, will be advising the Chancellor on the arrangements for the permanent OBR. The annual cost and number of staff of the OBR will depend on decisions on the basis of this advice.

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe

Viscount Waverley: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether a minister attended the December Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe ministerial meeting in Athens; and whether the Secretary of State or a Minister will attend the July OSCE informal ministerial meeting in Almaty.

Lord Howell of Guildford: No Minister attended the annual Organization for Security and Co-operation (OSCE) ministerial meeting in Athens on 1-2 December 2009. My honourable friend the Minister for Europe, David Lidington, will attend the July OSCE informal ministerial meeting in Almaty.

Philippines

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the Government of the Philippines about alleged extra-judicial killings, missing persons and the actions of the security forces; and whether they will raise those matters in international organisations.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We raised allegations of extra-judicial killings at the UN Universal Periodic Review of the Philippines in 2008, the most recent such review. Since then our embassy in Manila has made regular representations to the Government of the Republic of the Philippines. Most recently our ambassador raised the Maguindanao Massacre with President-elect Aquino on 31 May.

Philippines

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make representations to the Government of the Philippines about ratifying the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The UK in conjunction with other EU members has asked the Philippines to ratify the Rome Statute during the current negotiations on an EU-Philippines Partnership and Co-operation Agreement. UK dialogue on this will have to await the formation of the next Administration following the recent presidential elections in the Philippines.

Regional Development Agencies: Funding

Baroness Scott of Needham Market: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the funding allocated to regional development agencies for the provision of leaders' boards under the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 will continue until legislation repealing the leaders' boards has been enacted.

Baroness Hanham: The Secretary of State has announced that government funding for regional local authority leaders' boards-which took over most of the functions and staff of the old regional assemblies-has been ended. This does not need to await the repeal of Section 5 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 and will produce an annual saving of £16 million.
	The dismantling of these boards will remove a needlessly complex bureaucracy and see local authorities put firmly back in control of planning in their areas. This will ensure local people can hold their leaders to account.

Royal Household: Travel

Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government when the 2009-10 report on the grant-in-aid for Royal travel by air and rail will be published.

Earl Attlee: The exact date is yet to be finalised.

Somalia

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Howell of Guildford on 7 June (WA 27), whether Somaliland has fulfilled the normal criteria for recognition as an independent state.

Lord Howell of Guildford: While based on the technical criteria set out in the Written Answer dated 16 November 1989 (Official Report, col. 494), each case must be assessed on its own particular facts. In the case of Somaliland, there are a number of relevant factors, including UN resolutions and the UN-sponsored peace process, as well as the positions of Africa Union member states. We therefore do not currently recognise Somaliland as an independent state. However, the Government will keep the policy on recognition of Somaliland under review in line with these factors.

St Helena: Airport

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent contact they have had with the people of St Helena regarding the planned airport for the island; and what are their plans for the airport.

Baroness Verma: We are currently considering the question of access to St Helena. Ministers or officials have not yet had contact with the people of St Helena since the new Government ware established, but will do so in due course. I will inform the House of any decision that is made.

St Helena: Airport

Lord Ashcroft: To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the current plans for an airport in St Helena.

Baroness Verma: We are currently considering the question of access to St Helena. I will inform the House of any decision that is made.

Turkey

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will raise with the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights the case of Mr Ahmet Turk, a former parliamentarian in Turkey and chairman of the Democratic Society Party, who is charged by the public prosecutor for speaking in Kurdish within the parliament building.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Government continue to support and participate in dialogue with the Turkish Government on issues surrounding freedom of speech and freedom of expression, and Mr Turk's case is contained within these wider discussions. We continue to urge Turkey to amend its laws on freedom of speech, including the restrictions on the use of non-Turkish languages.
	We cannot intervene in Turkish laws or the judicial system, but we will continue to monitor this case and expect high legal and judicial standards throughout.
	The Government haves no plans to raise Mr Turk's case in these international fora at this time.

Ukraine

Lord Patten: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have made, or intend to make, representations to the Government of Ukraine about allegations of media censorship in that country by the security services.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Government welcome President Yanukovych's statement of 20 April, in which he stated, "I will always defend media freedom and do everything possible to ensure transparency of power and the openness of its actions to the press and society". The Government will encourage Ukraine to meet this commitment. The Government are, however, concerned about reports from non-governmental organisations and representatives of the media claiming that media freedoms in Ukraine may be in danger, in part because of interference by the security services.
	The UK and the EU have regular dialogue with the Ukrainian authorities at all levels. My honourable friend the Minister for Europe met the Ukrainian Foreign Minister on 24 May, and the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Baroness Ashton, met the Ukrainian Prime Minister on 15 June. Concerns about media freedoms were raised at both meetings. The UK and EU will continue to make clear that relations with Ukraine are built upon a commitment to shared values, including democracy and human rights, and that the erosion of media freedoms would therefore have a negative impact on relations.
	Ukraine is obliged to meet its international commitments through participation in the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and membership of the UN and the Council of Europe. On 22 April, the OSCE's Representative for Freedom of the Media wrote to President Yanukovych welcoming his statement of commitment to media freedoms, and drawing his attention to recent concerns.

West Lothian Question

Lord Grocott: To ask Her Majesty's Government what they estimate to be the cost of establishing and running a commission to consider the West Lothian question.

Lord Grocott: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many public sector employees would be involved in a commission to consider the West Lothian question; and at what salaries they would be employed.

Lord McNally: The Government need to give careful consideration to the composition, scope and remit of the commission that will consider the West Lothian question. Details of our plans for the commission and appropriate consultation will be announced in due course.

West Lothian Question

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty's Government , further to the Written Answer by Lord McNally on 7 June (WA 30), when a commission to consider the West Lothian question will be established; and whether Parliament will be consulted about its terms of references and composition.

Lord McNally: The Government need to give careful consideration to the composition, scope and remit of the commission that will consider the West Lothian question. Details of our plans for the commission and appropriate consultation will be announced in due course.